Process for forming casein masses.



' F. THOMAS.

PROCESS FOR'FORMING CASEINI MASSES.

, APPLICATION FILED 020.11 1912.

Patented Nov. 9,

CZQQJ.

INVENTOR- FRANZ TH A5 ATT N j ED TA EPs PATENT cur os.

FRANZ THOMAS, or scnMoLLN, GERMANY.

PROCESS FOR FORMING GASEIN MASSESI To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ THOMAS, chemist, subject of the GermanEmperor, residing at 5 Amtsplatz, Schmiilln, Duchy offiaxe-Altenburg,German Empire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Processesfor Forming Casein Masses; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to a process of and apparatus for forming caseinmasses, that is to say for producing from a supply of the liquids thatare to be dealt with, such as solutions or suspensions of alkalicaseinates, solid pieces or articles of the requisite size. Theproduction of shaped articles made from casein masses by pouring can beeffected by pouring solutions or suspensions of alkali caseinates on tothe surface of a solution of formaldehyde and a salt which reacts withalkali caseinates (an alkalineearthsalt, such as calcium chlorid,magnesium chlorid). By this means more or less spherical articles areobtained. In carrying out this method, it has been found that great careis required in droppingthe alkali caseinate into the precipitatingliquid,

. for instance calcium chlorid, and that the article first formed mustbe removed quickly to avoidthe risk of themasses coalescing.

" This difficulty is especially experienced in making round articles.

The present invention has for its object to obviate the drawbacks abovementioned and in particular to insure reliability in the production ofarticles in large quantities- The process consists in distributing theprecipitating liquid; among a number of compartments which approximatelycorrespond to the dimensions of the globular or other round articles tobe produced. A

corresponding quantity of the alkali caseinate is allowed to enter eachcompartment.

An apparatus for carrying out the present method'is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing. It consists of a grating or series of chambers orcells carried by a plate, which is immersed in the precipitating liquid.The alkali-caseinate solution is then allowed-to fall by drops into eachseparate chamber or cell. There are thus formed Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Application filed December 17-, 1912. Serial No. 737,275.

more or less spherical bodies which are separated from one another bythe sides or walls of the chambers or cells and are thereby preventedfrom coalescing. The spheres float on the surface and afterward sink.

Figure 1 is a plan of the grating: and Fig. 2 a side elevation of thesaid exempiary apparatus.

Inthe form shown, circular cylinders 12 are arranged on a base plate aand are prothe sieve-like arrangement can be employed with compartmentsof any other desired form.

Rough blanks for buttons, beads, and other articles of uniform size andshape can be made in the manner described above.

I claim:

1. The process for making spherical casein masses which consists inarranging within a suitable coagulating liquid a series of separatecells or chambers open at their upper ends and dropping into thecoagulating liquid contained in the said cells or chambers freely andseparately individual streams of dissolved alkali caseinate in theamounts required to coagulate in the form of individual sphericalmasses.

2. The process for making spherical casein masses which consists inarranging within a suitable coagulating liquid a series of separate.cells or chambers, open at their upper ends, dropping freely andseparately into the coagulating liquid contained in each separate cellor chamber individual streams of dissolved alkali caseinate in theamounts required. to coagulate in the form of,v the individual sphericalmasses and afterward separating the remaining liquid from the formedindividual spherical masses lying in the coagulating liquid. 4

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANZ THOMAS.

Witnesses: CHARLES NEUER,

M. Mt'rILER.

